Aeration Conditions Research Articles

Designing efficient floating bed options for the treatment of eutrophic water

Abstract Developing solutions for lake eutrophication has emerged as a priority area to address the loss of ecosystem balance, reduction in aquatic biodiversity, and the potential production of toxins. Floating bed solutions offer an effective methodology to address this issue. This study uses rice straw as a base for floating bed treatment. Treatment of simulated eutrophic water was analyzed with and without plants in combination with rice straw beds (RS and RS + P). Treatment efficiency was also tested under increased aeration conditions (RS + A). Results demonstrated that average removal efficiencies of the ecological beds assembled with plant and aerator ranged from 81 to 82%, 80 to 85%, 78 to 86%, 61 to 69% for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), NH4+-N, NO3−-N, and phosphates, respectively. The microbial community structure was also analyzed from the water samples taken from ecological beds assembled with plant and aerator by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Based on the above results, systems assembled with plants and aerators proved to be efficient for the treatment of eutrophic water.

Enhancing laccase-assisted polymerization reactions with perfluorinated compounds

The catalysis of reactions by laccases are oxygen-dependent. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are known to increase the solubility of oxygen when compared with water being applied in several fields as gas-dissolving agents. Herein, PFCs like Zonyl, perfluorohexane (C6F14), and perfluorodecalin(C10F18) were explored as promising agents to increase the rate of oxygen available on laccase-assisted oxidation of catechol. The oxidation of catechol was performed with and without aeration, using reactors with different agitation regimens (orbital shaker water bath and vertical rotating reactor). The enzymatic reactions and the level of oxygen were monitored by UV-Visible spectroscopy and oxygen quantification, respectively. The polymerization yield was estimated in terms of polymer weight gain after laccase-assisted oxidation and the products of reaction were analyzed by 1H NMR,MALDI-TOF and particle size measurements. After laccase oxidation, the poly(catechol) was successfully synthesized with a polymerization degree (DP) of 7 and a mean size of 115 nm, independently on the PFCs and aeration conditions. The findings showed that all PFCs examined, particularly perfluorodecalin, had the ability to dissolve oxygen, increasing its rate during oxidation reaction. The yield of poly(catechol) is 1.25 times higher using perfluorodecalin, under aeration, compared to the reaction carried out only with laccase. We provide the first evidence that PFCs significantly increase the oxidation of phenols by laccase.

Non-Conventional Yeast: Behavior under Pure Culture, Sequential and Aeration Conditions in Beer Fermentation.

The use of wild yeasts, isolated from different environments, is becoming the most interesting option for the production of new beers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of seven non-conventional yeast strains from five different species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Torulaspora delbrueckii, and Zygosaccharomyces bailii) isolated from Madrid agriculture to produce type ale beer. Wild yeast strains were evaluated at laboratory and pilot plant scales under different fermentation conditions (pure, aerated, and sequential culture). Strain S. cerevisiae SafAle S-04 was used as a reference. Throughout the fermentation of beer, volatile compounds were determined by GC and residual sugars by HPLC, among other parameters. The yeast strains used for the fermentation in pure culture conditions were unable to ferment maltose and maltotriose (0.73-1.18% v/v of ethanol). The results of the study under aerated conditions showed varying levels of higher alcohol and ester concentrations. It should be noted that the strain CLI 1057 (S. cerevisiae) fermented maltose in the presence of oxygen (Kluyver effect). This strain also showed a high production of 4-vinyl guaiacol, making it suitable for producing beers with a phenolic profile. Finally, three strains (H. guilliermondii, Z. bailii, and T. delbrueckii) were evaluated in sequential culture together with commercial strain and found to improve the organoleptic characteristics of the brewed beer. These approaches offer the opportunity to add new product characteristics to the beers.

Activities of Catalase and Peroxidase in Wheat and Rice Plants under Conditions of Anoxia and Post-Anoxic Aeration

Activities of Catalase and Peroxidase in Wheat and Rice Plants under Conditions of Anoxia and Post-Anoxic Aeration

Controlled Atmosphere Improves the Quality, Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Yellow Peach during the Shelf Life

Controlled atmosphere (CA) has been demonstrated to maintain the shelf-life quality of fruits, but its effect on the antioxidant activities and phenolic content of yellow peach is not comprehensive. This study analyzed the role of CA on the quality of shelf period, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of "Jinxiu" yellow peach. Yellow peach was left under specific aeration conditions (3.5-4% CO2, 2-3% O2, 92-95.5% N2, 1 ± 0.5 °C) and the control (1 ± 0.5 °C) for 21 d, to observe changes in physiological parameters of the fruit during 10 d of the shelf life (25 ± 1 °C). The result showed that CA reduced the weight loss rate (WLR), decay rate (DR), and browning index (BI) of yellow peaches. Furthermore, the CA held a high level of total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenol content (TPC) and phenolic content in the fruit. Antioxidant analysis showed that polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity was lower and free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) and antioxidant enzyme activities (POD and PAL) were higher in the CA group. Combining the results of significance analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) clearly identified the differences between the CA group and the control group. The results showed that the CA could maintain higher phenolic content and reduce the oxidation of yellow peach fruit and enhance fruit quality by affecting the antioxidant activities of yellow peach.

Utilization of polyethylene sleeves with forced aeration for composting of broiler carcasses on mass depopulation events: Laboratory-scale simulations and sensitivity analyses

Composting poultry carcasses and the infected litter is considered feasible during mass depopulation events in response to disease outbreaks. We demonstrate the effect of temperature (40, 50, 60 °C) and aerobic/anaerobic conditions on the degradation of broiler carcasses and broiler litter (BL) and the elimination of pre-inoculated Avian flu and Newcastle viruses and SalmonellaInfantis (3.3 × 105.6 EID50, 7 × 106.0 EID50 and 2 × 107 CFU g-dry matter (DM)−1, respectively). Six broiler carcasses and BL were inoculated and treated with a water-based foam, simulating a common culling method. After 30 days of composting, both viruses were eliminated under all conditions, whileSalmonellapersisted at 40 °C under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (7.4 × 105and 4.4 × 103CFU g-DM−1, respectively). Mass losses were 42–44, 24–26, and 18–22% (aerobic) and 18–27, 21–23, and 0–7% (anaerobic) at 40, 50, and 60 °C, respectively. In the end, the associated odors were not typical of carcasses (aerobic), or they were strong and offensive (anaerobic). Considering the observed mass losses and biomass water holding capacity, we present a sensitivity analysis of the water balance expected in composting sleeves if they are utilized on mass depopulation events. Composting of the carcasses and the BL in enclosed sleeves with forced aeration, following culling by means of water-based foam will generate excess water, depending on sleeve volumes, aeration conditions, and co-addition of absorbing materials like sawdust. No excessive moisture is expected if dry culling methods are used.

Artificial aeration of an overloaded constructed wetland improves hypoxia but does not ameliorate high nitrogen loads

High organic loadings to constructed wetlands can result in water quality issues such as low dissolved oxygen and high ammonium concentrations, with artificial aeration a potential mitigation option. This study compared baseline (no aeration – NA), continuous aeration (CA), and intermittent aeration (IA) conditions to improve water quality in a tertiary treatment free water surface constructed wetland (FWS CW) with night time hypoxia/anoxia, and high nutrient concentrations. The response variables included dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), total phosphorus (TP), phosphate (PO43–-P), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In situ aeration and monitoring was performed from April to June 2021 in a large, field-scale FWS CW, the Laratinga wetlands Mount Barker, South Australia.The results demonstrated that DO increased by an average 2.11 mg L−1 from NA to CA during the night and 1.26 mg L−1 and 1.84 mg L−1 from NA to IA during the night and day respectively when averaging over the basins. The C/N ratio was very low and there was no significant influence of DO on DOC concentrations. There was no significant difference in TN concentrations with the application of aeration aside from a decrease in the channel at night from NA to IA, and an increase in NH4+-N resulted under IA compared with NA in Basin 1 and 2 during the day. This implies that the N loadings exceeded the wetland's ability to complete nutrient conversions at a rate that aligns with input rate. The concentrations of NO3−-N increased at night under CA and IA treatments suggesting that some nitrification was promoted, or there was inhibition of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. The concentrations of TP and PO43–-P significantly increased with the aeration compared with no aeration, however there was no difference between the aeration treatments. This suggested that increased sediment resuspension during aeration increased P in the water. There was no change in DOC with the application of aeration. Overall, the DO increased with aeration application and may be able to better support the wetland ecology; however, the Laratinga wetland is overloaded and the capacity of the wetland to effectively transform and remove nutrients is inhibited, even with the application of artificial aeration.

Novel oily sludge treatment process: Based on biological leaching

The performance of bioleaching technology was studied for the demulsification, oil content reduction and efficient removal of heavy metals from oily sludge. A method was established for treating oily sludge from an oil refinery. Firstly, bioleaching bacteria were enriched and acclimated. The effects of substrate type (FeSO4·7H2O and Na2S2O3·5H2O), concentration and aeration conditions on treatment performance were investigated, with response surface methodology used to optimize the treatment process. Finally, the effects of operating parameters on heavy metal removal under continuous flow conditions were investigated. Results show that an optimal treatment effect was achieved when 5.00 g/L FeSO4·7H2O and 5.64 g/L Na2S2O3·5H2O were used as substrates and the aeration ratio (air-water ratio) was 14.53 L/L. Under these conditions, the oily sludge reduction rate was 51.76 %, and the oil removal rate was 57.67 %. The removal rates for Pb, Hg and Cu ranged between 40 % and 70 %, with a stable total heavy metal reduction rate of 50 %. These results show that bioleaching technology is feasible for the treatment of oily sludge and heavy metal removal, with good potential for practical application.

Weed Management by In Situ Cover Crops and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Plasticulture

Weeds negatively affect organic vegetable crop growth and profitability. Weed management is the greatest challenge for vegetable organic growers since control options are limited for organic vegetable production. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a novel non-chemical pest management technique that creates anoxic conditions in the topsoil layer for a limited time. ASD is primarily based on the addition of labile carbon sources to topsoil to promote anaerobic conditions driven by microorganisms in moist soil mulched with polyethylene film (polyfim). Field studies were conducted in the summer–fall of 2020 and 2021 to determine the efficacy of warm season cover crops used as carbon sources for ASD and their role in weed management. The study used a factorial experimental design with four cover crop residue treatments (sorghum-sudangrass, sunn hemp, both, or none) in two soil aeration conditions (aerated or non-aerated). Cover crops were grown for 75 days, incorporated into the soil, and sealed with totally impermeable film (TIF) clear mulch, followed by a 4-week ASD process. All incorporated cover crop treatments in non-aerated conditions generated moderate to higher anaerobic conditions (0–150 mV) and provided significantly higher (p < 0.05) weed control than all the other treatments tested or controls. Tomato plants transplanted in non-aerated, cover crops incorporated plots were more vigorous and produced higher yields than aerated plots. No phytotoxicity was observed on tomato plants following ASD treatment in any of the treatments tested. This study demonstrated that warm season cover crops could potentially serve as a carbon source for ASD in organic tomato production.

A Modular Chain Bioreactor Design for Fungal Productions.

Plastic bag bioreactors are single-use bioreactors, frequently used in solid culture fermentation. This study developed plastic bag bioreactors with more effective aeration conditions and particular connection elements that yield sensors, environmental control, and modular connectivity. This bioreactor system integrates the bags in a chain that circulates air and moisture through filtered connections. Within the present scope, this study also aimed to reveal that cultures in different plastic bags can be produced without affecting each other. In this direction, biomass production in the modular chain bioreactor (MCB) system developed in this study was compared to traditional bag systems. In addition, contamination experiments were carried out between the bags in the system, and it was observed that the filters in the developed system did not affect the microorganisms in different bags.

Research on the release relationship between dissolved oxygen (DO) and total dissolved gas (TDG) in standing water

Abstract Supersaturation of dissolved oxygen (DO) and total dissolved gas (TDG) is generated by high dam discharge, excess oxygen production in photosynthesis and increasing temperature in water, which may directly lead to fish suffering from ‘gas bubble disease’ or death. In this paper, under a series of experimental aeration conditions in standing water, it was concluded that aeration had a positively promoting effect on releases of supersaturated DO and TDG, while aeration aperture and aeration depth had inhibitory effects on them. For single factor analysis, aeration had the greatest effect on the release of DO and TDG, the second effect on DO was that of aeration depth and the smallest effect was that of aeration aperture, but the second effect on TDG was that of aeration aperture and the smallest effect was that of aeration depth. Most importantly, the release coefficient of DO was greater than that of TDG, and a quantitative relationship between the release coefficient of DO and TDG and aeration conditions, respectively, was established. An exponential function relationship of the release coefficients of DO and TDG was also established. The results of the research have important guiding significance and theoretical value for reducing the harm caused by supersaturated DO and TDG.

The Consumption of Amino Acids and Production of Volatile Aroma Compounds by Yarrowia lipolytica in Brewers’ Wort

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is well known for its versatile production of metabolites from various substrates, but, although isolated from, e.g., wild-fermented Belgian Sour beers, it is rarely considered a starter culture in fermented beverages. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the ability of Y. lipolytica to ferment brewers’ wort containing iso-α-acid for 7 days at low and high aeration and at 20 °C and 30 °C, with a special focus on amino acid consumption and production of volatile aroma compounds. Y. lipolytica was able to grow in the wort under all four conditions, although the growth was inhibited. Furthermore, it only consumed glucose and fructose, and no ethanol was formed. Moreover, under high aeration conditions, Y. lipolytica consumed 75–80% of the amino acids in the wort. Interestingly, no esters were produced during the fermentations, and only five higher alcohols (1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol, and 2-phenylethanol), two aldehydes (3-methylbutanal and (E)-2-nonenal), two ketones (cyclopentanone and 9-oxabicyclo [6.1.0]nonan-4-one), one fatty acid (3-methyl-butanoic acid), and one benzene derivate (1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene) were produced. These results may contribute to the potential use of Y. lipolytica in a traditional brewery for the production of novel beers; e.g., alcohol-free beer.

Improving the removal efficiency of nitrogen and organics in vertical-flow constructed wetlands: the correlation of substrate, aeration and microbial activity.

Four vertical-flow CWs (VFCWs) with different substrates and aeration conditions were studied on nutrient-removal capacity from synthetic wastewater. Zeolite substrate VFCWs (none-aerated: VFCW-1, aerated: VFCW-3) paralleled with ceramsite (none-aerated:VFCW-2, aerated: VFCW-4) were used to study the removal efficiencies of N and organics, the bacterial community, and the related functional genes. The results indicated that the pollutant removal efficiency was significantly enhanced by intermittent aeration. VFCW-4 (ceramsite with aeration) demonstrated a significant potential to remove NH4+-N (89%), NO3--N (78%), TN (71%), and COD (65%). VFCW-3 and VFCW-4 had high abundances of Amx, amoA, and nirK genes, which was related to NH4+-N and NO2--N removal. The microbial diversity and structure varied with aeration and substrate conditions. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Candidatus, and Acidobacteria were the main bacteria phyla, with the average proportion of 38%, 21%, 19%, and 7% in the VFCWs. Intermittent aeration increased the abundance of Acidobacteria, which was conducive to the removal of organic matters. Overall, ceramsite substrate combined with intermittent aeration has a great potential in removing pollutants in VFCWs.

Microbial Community Structure in Ancient European Arctic Peatlands.

Northern peatlands, which are crucial reservoirs of carbon and nitrogen (415 ± 150 and 10 ± 7 Pg, respectively), are vulnerable to microbial mineralization after permafrost thaw. This study was carried out in four key sites containing northern permafrost peatland, which are located along the southern cryolithozone. The aim of this study is to characterize amino acids and the microbial community composition in peat strata along a climate gradient. Amino acids and microbiota diversity were studied by liquid chromatography and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The share of amino acid fragments was 2.6–7.8, and it is highly significantly correlated (r = 0.87, −0.74 and 0.67, p ˂ 0.05) with the organic nitrogen concentration in the soil, the C/N ratio, and δ15N. The data shows the existence of a large pool of microorganisms concentrated in permafrost peatlands, and a vertical continuum of bacteria, archaea, and microscopic fungi along the peat profile, due to the presence of microorganisms in each layer, throughout all the peat strata. There is no significant correlation between microorganism distribution and the plant macrofossil composition of the peat strata. Determining factors for the development of microorganism abundance are aeration and hydrothermal conditions. The availability of nitrogen will limit the ability of plants and microorganisms to respond to changing environmental conditions; however, with the increased decomposition of organic matter, amino acids will be released as organic sources of nitrogen stored in the protein material of peat-forming plants and microbial communities, which can also affect the organic nitrogen cycle.

Aerated drip irrigation increased the emitter clogging risk of the Yellow River water drip irrigation

AbstractThe influence of aeration on the emitter clogging of Yellow River water drip irrigation was evaluated, and reasonable measures to slow down the emitter clogging were investigated. A short‐cycle intermittent irrigation test and sediment settlement test were performed under the conditions of aeration and no aeration. The results showed that aeration accelerated the settlement of sediment at the inlet of the flow channel, increased the clogging rate of the flow channel inlet and exacerbated the clogging of the emitter. With the decrease of sediment particle size, aeration increased sediment deposition and emitter clogging. With the increase fencing inlet area, the effect of aeration on sediment settlement and emitter clogging decreased. Under aeration conditions, the upward position of the emitter outlet significantly reduced the mass of emitter blockage and increased the emitter flow compared with the downward positioning of the outlet. Thus, the recommendation is to select an emitter with a large area of fencing inlet, and the outlet of the emitter should be positioned upwards in order to improve the anticlogging performance of the emitter for Yellow River water aerated drip irrigation.

Effects of Root Zone Aeration on Soil Microbes Species in a Peach Tree Rhizosphere and Root Growth.

The oxygen content in the root zone considerably affects the growth and development of peach trees. However, few studies have been conducted on the effects of the oxygen content in the root zones of peach trees on soil microbes and root growth. Four-year-old Ruiguang 33/Prunus persica (L.) Batsch trees were used to study the effects of root-zone aeration on soil microbes in a peach orchard, as well as on the soil nutrient contents, peach tree root systems, and plant potassium-to-nitrogen ratios. The results showed that the root-zone aeration substantially increased the soil oxygen content in the root zone and changed the soil microbial community structure. Compared with the control, the relative abundances of soil nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Beta proteobacteria and Bradyrhizobium elkanii) and potassium-solubilizing microorganisms (Bacillus circulans) under the root-zone aeration conditions were greatly enhanced. Root-zone aeration increased the soil’s alkaline nitrogen content, available potassium content, and organic matter content, as well as the number and thickness of new white roots of peach trees, and root activity was increased significantly. At the same time, root-zone aeration changed the relative contents of total potassium and total nitrogen in the plants and considerably increased the potassium–nitrogen ratio in the shoots. The results indicate that aeration in the root zone can change the soil microbial community structure, increase the abundances of nitrogen-fixing and potassium-solubilizing microorganisms, and increase the plant potassium-to-nitrogen ratio, which are conducive to peach fruit quality.

Model-based evaluation of the impacts of aeration on tightly bound and loosely bound extracellular polymeric substance production under non-steady-state conditions

Tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances (TB-EPS) and loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS) affect the flocculability and settleability of sludge and the transfer of oxygen, which are highly related to aeration. In this study, we systemically evaluated the expanded unified model-TL2.1 for its long-term simulation of TB-EPS and LB-EPS. Two different aeration conditions and three different influent carbon sources were used to evaluate the model, and the simulation results fit well with the experimental data. TB-EPS and LB-EPS production increased with aeration intensity. The influence of aeration parameters on TB-EPS and LB-EPS production in a short-term batch system and long-term sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system was compared. The aeration parameters included the total transfer coefficient (kLa) and the concentration of dissolved oxygen at the interface (CS). To ensure a high removal rate of substrates and ammonia nitrogen and achieve a stable active biomass concentration, the following aeration parameters can be adopted to reduce energy wastage during aeration: when CS is 2 mg/L, kLa can be set above 30 h−1 and below 50 h−1; when kLa is 50 h−1, CS can be set above 1 mg/L and below 1.5 mg/L. This study systematically revealed the influence of aeration on TB-EPS and LB-EPS formation in an SBR system through a mathematical model, and it provides a theoretical basis for better understanding aeration.

Re-cultivation of dry microalgal-bacterial granular sludge

Deepening the research on the storage and transportation of the microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) will help its engineering application. Herein, re-cultivation of naturally dried MBGS was investigated. The results showed that the MBGS could be re-cultivated in 18 days in both aeration and non-aeration systems. Notably, the aeration system could facilitate granulation with superiority in both granule size and settleability of MBGS over the non-aeration system. The ammonia removal by re-cultivated MBGS under aeration condition was dramatically higher than non-aeration condition. In addition, the microbial community of MBGS had evolved dramatically after re-cultivation. Furthermore, the primary mechanism for the granule growth and the formation of new granule during the dry MBGS re-cultivation under aeration condition was deduced to be microbial coaggregation (e.g. Acinetobacter ), whereas under non-aeration condition it might be ascribed to the microbial mobility. This study is expected to provide insights into the storage of MBGS and the restart of MBGS process . • Re-cultivation of dried microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) was studied. • Dried MBGS could be recovered in structure and properties within 18 days. • Aeration facilitates granular settleability, size and ammonia removal of MBGS. • Microbial community of MBGS had evolved dramatically after the re-cultivation. • The possible mechanisms for re-cultivation of dry MBGS were put forward.

Core-shell structured Fe/Ni@C ternary micro-electrolysis material for 4-nitrochlorobenzen removal: Performance assessment and mechanism insight

In this work, core-shell iron/nickel@carbon (Fe/Ni@C) and conventional supported iron/nickel-carbon (Fe/Ni-AC) ternary micro-electrolysis materials were synthesized and utilized for the removal of 4-nitrochlorobenzene (4-NCB). The characterization of Fe/Ni@C were preliminarily investigated and compared with Fe/Ni-AC to highlight its superiority and feasibility in contaminants degradation. Results indicated that Fe/Ni@C with the core-shell structure possessed a higher oxidation resistance, electron transfer ability and oxygen utilization capacity. The degradation efficiency of 4-NCB was appreciably more significant than that of the Fe/Ni-AC system under diverse aeration conditions. This mainly was ascribed to the core-shell structure which reinforced the connection of dual-cathodes and anode and shortened the distance between zero-valent iron (Fe0) and zero-valent nickel (Ni0) for intensified electrons transfer. Electrons donated from Fe0 could enrich in high density on the surface of carbon. This high-density electronic release, on the one hand, could significantly promote the reduction of pollutants under N2. On the other hand, this enrichment realized the synergetic effect of reduction and oxidation in the absence of dissolved oxygen (DO). By combining the analysis of reduction intermediates, reactive oxidizing species and XPS, the reaction mechanisms of Fe/Ni@C under diverse aeration conditions were explored in-depth. These findings can contribute to the rational design of ternary micro-electrolysis systems with properties tailored to a variety of nitroaromatic organics in natural water remediation.

Energy saving and rapid establishment of granular microalgae system from tiny microalgae cells: Effect of decrease in upflow air velocity under intermittent aeration condition

The novel type of microalgae granules (MGs) derived from tiny microalgae cells has received extensive attention due to its great potential for nutrient remediation and resource recovery in wastewater treatment whereas the long start-up time with increased labor expenses remains a bottleneck. In this study, an operation strategy at reduced upflow air velocity (UAV = 0.49 cm/s in RA) under intermittent aeration mode was proposed and compared with RB at a higher UAV (0.98 cm/s) in terms of MGs formation, maintenance, and energy consumption. Although the formation of MGs in RA was delayed for 12 days compared to RB, 40.78 % increase in chlorophyll-a content was detected in MGs in RA along with more cost-effective carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removals due to efficient microalgae assimilation and energy reduction. Results from this study provide new insight into minimizing energy input for rapid establishment and stable operation of MG systems towards environmentally sustainable wastewater management.